United Holy Church of America

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The United Holy Church of America, Inc. is a predominantly black holiness pentecostal Christian denomination.

This church was organized as the outgrowth of a holiness revival sparked by the meetings held by Isaac Cheshier at Method, North Carolina (a suburb of Raleigh), in 1886. It began as a regional body. In 1900 this body called itself Holy Church of North Carolina, and later, as it grew, the Holy Church of North Carolina and Virginia. In the early 1900s, the church added a pentecostal understanding to its holiness emphasis. In 1916, the name United Holy Church of America was adopted, and the church was incorporated on September 15, 1918.

International headquarters are located in Greensboro, North Carolina. The UHC of A consists of 516 churches, 17 districts, and 8 terriotories. The largest and the oldest district of the connectional body which is the Southern District Convocation (Goldsboro, NC).

The United Holy Church of America is an outgrowth of the great revival that began with the early outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, when the 120 were filled with the Holy Ghost. The church is built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ, Himself, being the chief cornerstone. (Eph. 2:20)

At regular intervals during the intervening centruries great revivals have occurred in various sections of the world. These revivals were the results of the divine energy as was experienced on the day of Pentecost.

It was during this time of revival of repentance, regeneration and holiness of heart and life, that swept through the South and West, that the United Holy Church was born. There was no desire on the part of the founding fathers to establish another denomination, but they were pushed out of organized churches because of their experience of holiness and their testimony of the spirit filled life.

It became necessary for these persons who held the testimony of being saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost, to establish contact with each other for mutual edification and comfort. As as result. many independent churches were established, and associations formed, where people could be free to seek God, not only to be genuinely saved, but also to be definitely sanctified."

The church was born in Method, N.C. in May of 1886. While it embraces people of all nationalities, the United Holy Church of America has the unique honor and distinction of being the oldest Black Pentecostal Church in the United States of America.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  • Handbook of Denominations in the United States, by Frank S. Mead, Samuel S. Hill, and Craig D. Atwood
  • The History of the United Holy Church of America, Inc., by Chester W. Gregory, Sr.
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